=|=Meanwhile=|=

"Ok, I'm done, we can go." Daphne started getting up from her desk to get her coat. When she had retrieved her coat, they walked out the door to Lance's car.
"So where are we going for lunch?" Daphne asked.
"Burger King."
"What?"
"I promised Chris I'd get him a Pokémon toy today and since Burger King has them for practically free, I'd figure why not go there for lunch."
"Oh, I see."
"So...how has your day been?"
"Fine. And your's?"
"Same." They stared out the window until the got to Burger King. They ordered their food and sat down. "Oh hey, I've been meaning to ask you something."
"Yeah?"
"Well for Christmas, I got this trip to Disney World, and I can take someone with me, I want you to come."
"Really?"
"Yeah."
"That's great, sure, when?"
"Spring break, which is in March."
"I'll be counting down the days." Lance opened up the round Pokéball and pulled out a little figurine. "Who'd you get?"
"I don't know."
"That's Shelder."
"How do you know?"
"Hey, I teach 8 and 9 year old boys, after a while you learn a thing or two."

=|=|=|=

JC and Chris were quietly playing video games. Joey came in the room.
"I'm going shopping for Justin's birthday present, wanna come?"
"Sure! We'd love to come." JC shouted turning off their game.
"We would?"
"Yeah we wanna go." JC tried to wink at Chris but came out unsuccessful.
"Ya got something in your eye?" Joey asked.
"Noooo."
"Ok, go get your shoes on." The two ran up the stairs.
"I don't want to go shopping all day, I hate shopping."
"Don't you get the point?"
"No."
"Adrianna and Justin will be alone."
"I thought we didn't want that."
"No, see we do want that because Justin and Anna might start to date and then Joey will get mad and kill Justin, then we get his Nintendo 64 and all his games."
"Ohhhh." They finished putting their shoes on and went downstairs.
"Ready?"
"Uh huh."
"Ok, let's go." They started heading for the door.
"Where are you guys going?" Adrianna asked, coming into the kitchen with Justin behind her.
"To...get eggs."
"Oh, ok...have fun." The three left the house to go the get Justin's birthday present. After they were gone, Justin returned to the living room, and Adrianna glanced at the clock, it was almost 4:00. "I guess I'll make dinner." She thought about what to make and then decided on .
About 15 minutes later, Justin had smelt the aroma of the food cooking in the kitchen and wandered in.
"Whatcha making?"
"Dinner."
"Well what is it?"
" ."
"Oh, can I help?"
"You can make a salad if you want to."
"Ok." He went to the refrigerator and pulled out the vegetables. He came out with the carrots, lettuce, and tomatoes.
He got out a knife and started slicing the lettuce and filling 6 bowls. Though, he acidentally flung a piece at Adridanna. She turned to him.
"Did you just hit me with a piece of lettuce?"
"I didn't mean to."
"Oh ok." His knife got out of control once again and another piece was sent her way. She looked at him again.
"Sorry." He went back to his slicing until he picked up a few pieces, smiling and threw them at her on purpose. She felt it hit the back of her head.
"Now Justin, I know that wasn't an accident that time."
"Really?" He picked up a tomato and threw it at her. She caught the round object and threw it right back at him. The food fight continued until they were interrupted.
"What happened here?!" Lance walked into the kitchen, putting his coat on a chair in the corner. "Justin?"
"What makes you think I did this by myself?"
"He had nothing to do with it, I started the fight." Anna covered Justin.
"Alright, but get this cleaned up." He left the room, obviously not having a good day. They started picking up the lettuce and tomatoes of the floor in silence, but suddenly burst into laughter.
"That was kind of funny."

=|=|=|=

Chris and JC sat on Joey's bed around Joey watching him wrap Justin's birthday present. Justin's birthday was that day, and they were just finishing up.
"I need a finger." Chris immediatly stuck his finger in the middle of the ribbon as Joey tied a bow around it. "There." Chris pulled his finger out. "Are you sure he wants this game?"
"He really wants this game." Chris answered.
"OK then let's go." The three walked out of his room and into Justin's.
"We got you a birthday present!" JC shouted.
"You did?"
"Yeah, open it, open it, open it!" Chris grabbed the gift out of Joey's hand and handed it to Justin. Justin eagerly tore away at the wrapping paper.
"Oh." He said dissappointed.
"What? They said you wanted it."
"And you believed them? It's Pokémon."
"Pokémon Snap let's go play." Chris grabbed the game off of his bed and they ran downstairs.
"I'm sorry, I could get you something else."
"Nah it's OK." There was a knock at the door. "Come in."
"Hey, I got you something." Anna pulled a beautifully wrapped box from behind her back. "Could you leave us alone?" She asked Joey.
"Oh of course." He left the room and she closed the door behind him.
"OK I asked Chris and JC what you wanted for your birthday..."
"Oh great."
"What?"
"Joey did the same thing and I ended up getting Pokémon Snap, something they wanted."
"Oh I think this is a little different, you'll see." She handed him the box and sat on his bed with him. He unwrapped the gift.
"A digital camera."
"Well they said you liked to take pictures, and if you don't I can take it back..."
"No I love it, this way I can take better pictures."
"I'm happy you love it."
"Why don't we test this thing out?"
"You wanna take a picture of me?"
"Yeah."
"Better yet we could get one together."
"Yes that is better."
"We can get Joey to take it."
"OK." He grabbed the camera and walked downstairs to where Joey was watching JC and Chris play the game.
"Joey will you be a doll, and take our picture."
"Sure." He took the camera and was about to snap the picture.
"Hey, what are you doing?"
"I was just going to take your picture."
"No, not yet I look like crap."
"You look fine."
"Well, we can't just stand here it'll look too posed."
"Then go sit on the couch and get settled." They went to sit on the couch. "OK." He took the picture.
"OK, I'll be right back." She ran up to her room and came back down a couple minutes later. "I know you said you didn't want to make a big deal out of your birthday, but I had to get you a gift."
"You got me a gift?"
"Yep here." She handed a pack of gum.
"Thank you."
"I don't get it." Chris whined.
"Inside joke."

Daphne and Lance were sitting on the couch after a long hard day of work.
"Ugh." He groaned.
"What's the matter?"
"I gotta do the bills tonight."
"Yeah?"
"Well, I took this job to get a little a extra money for myself that I didn't have to spend on food or anything, and now it's just not for me anymore it's for this new burden."
"Am I the burden?"
"Oh of course not I spend my pleasure money on you. The burden is Adrianna, I love having her here, but it's just costing me so much."
*Up in Joey's room*
"We gotta plan Anna's birthday. It's March 1st."
"That's a month away."
"Hey February is a short month."
"I know!" Chris shouted. "We could take her on the annual Carter camping trip we always do the weekend of March."
"Yeah!"
"I don't think so, She's not really the roughing it type of girl. She'll just whine all weekend. 'There's a bug, I have to sleep on the ground, I can't eat a fish!' she'll just get mad at me."
"Joey!" She came barging in the room.
"What?"
"Lance...said... and I'm leaving." She walked out of the room and they all followed her into her's.
"Did he kick you out?!" Joey demanded to know.
"No, he just called me, he said I was a burden."
"He called you a burden?"
"What's a burden?" Chris asked.
"It's the b word." JC answered.
"No it's not stupid." Justin insulted. "The b word is b..."
"OK I'm gonna go talk to him, he has no right to say that to your face."
"He didn't, I kinda over heard it."
"So you were eavesdropping?"
"Well not really, I was just going to the kitchen to get a glass of water when I heard my name and of course I'm gonna listen and he said I was a burden."
"Well I'm still gonna talk to him." He walked out of her room and they followed along. "Hey Lance."
"Yes?"
"Now I could be wrong, and I hope I am, but I got this crazy story that you called Anna a burden, tell me that's not true."
"Well, I meant burden in it's most positive sense."
"As in, gee what a lovely burden." Anna jumped in.
"You know what I mean."
"Obviously I don't. Do you want me to pay to stay, I'll do it."
"Actually that would be really helpful."
"Lance!" Daphne hit him in the arm. Anna pulled her checkbook out.
"Ok, how much do you want? 500?"
"That'd be great."
"Well, ok, I've stayed here for about a month, so there that covers January, and do you want February in advance?"
"Yeah, sure. Since you got it open."
"Lance!" Daphne hit him again.
"There $1000, I hope you enjoy it." She ripped the check out of the book. Everyone stomped off.
"Lance how could you do that?"
"She's rich, she's got plenty of money."
"Being poor, has gotten to you, you'll do anything for money. If I offered you money you'd probably take it."
"Are you offering me money."
"No, I'm merely saying you're being selfish."
"I'm not selfish I'm just thinking of the boys' best intrests."
"What?"
"Say Chris wanted to take karate we'd have the money now to fund it."
"Why would he want to take karate?"
"You're missing the point, I'm just being a good father."
"Oh so this money is going towards the boys and not for your own pleasure."
"Well some of it, I gotta be a good boyfriend too."

=|=|=|=
*A Month Later*

"I can't believe you're making me go on this camping trip."
"Come on it's a tradition and we're celebrating your birthday."
"A bracelet would have done just fine.
"It's not like you're going to be alone, Daphne is going."
"I know."
"So you all packed?"
"Yeah I think I have everything I need."
"OK then we can go." He grabbed her backpack and walked downstairs where everyone was waiting.
"Can we go now?" Chris asked impatiently.
"Yes we can go." They loaded up the car and drove to the camp site.
"This isn't that bad, nice and cozy." They walked through the clearing to the camp ground.
"OK now we have to set up tents."
"Tents? You never said anything about tents."
"Where did you think we were going to stay?"
"I thought there were cabins up here, with beds."
"Nope, just tents and sleeping bags."
"I see how's gonna be good thing I brought my air mattress."
"You brought an air mattress?"
"Don't worry you'll get to share it with me."
"I don't want to share it with you."
"Fine you'll be sorry."
"Enough chit-chat let's set up the tents so we can go swimming!" Justin interrupted.
"Swimming, there's a pool."
"Yep a pretty big one."
"OK, Joey put up our tent."
"You don't want to help?"
"No I'll probably just mess everything up I'll go change for swimming." She grabbed her bag and ran off to the restrooms. Joey started setting up the tent. A few minutes later she returned in her swimming suit. "So where's the pool?"
"Right there." He pointed towards the lake.
"The lake?"
"Yeah, pretty big pool huh?"
"It's not a pool it's a lake."
"What's wrong with the lake."
"It's muddy, dirty, and fish are there."
"I don't care now will you stop whinning." He grabbed her arm and pulled her into the lake with the others.
"Ew, this is so gross."
"Oh will you just shut up!"
"You shut up. Ahhh, something grabbed me."
"Nothing grabbed you." Justin popped out from under the water.
"I grabbed you, you're the shark now."
"No I'm not the shark, I'm going back up there I'm gonna get a tan."
"No you're not." Joey pulled her under the water she came up gasping for air.
"Oh my gosh, I asked you nicely to let me leave, and now I hate you!"
"You don't hate me."
"Yes I do and I'm not sharing a tent with you either."
"Well where are you going to go?"
"I'm not leaving, you are you can go stay with those three."
"There's not enough room."
"Well one of them will just have to stay with me."
"I'll do it." Justin volunteered.
"You're still here?"
"Yeah and I'll stay with her."
"Fine me and Justin will share a tent."
"Yeah we'll share a tent."
"We'll sleep on the air mattress together."
"Yeah we'll sleep together."
"I'm going to go change." She walked out of the lake.
"What did you go and do that for?"
"What?"
"You didn't have to go in the tent with her you just encouraged her."
"It's not my fault she likes me more than you." He turned around and swam to the shore.

=|=|=|=

Adrianna was sleeping peacefully and Justin was peacefully watching her. She suddenly stirred in her sleep and he turned on his side and closed his eyes.
"Justin," She grabbed his arm. "Did you grab my foot?"
"Huh?" He acted like he'd been sleeping.
"Did you grab my foot?"
"No."
"OK there is some animal in this tent." She wrapped her arms around him in fear. "Now it won't let go, get it off!"
"Let me get my lantern." He reached over and turned on his lantern he crawled towards the door of the tent and opened it up. There lying on the ground were JC and Chris. "I think I found your animals."
"What is it?"
"It looks like JC and Chris."
"What are they doing here?"
"I don't know what are you doing here?"
"We were trying to scare her."
"They trying to scare you." She crawled up to them too.
"Why don't you go back to bed."
"We can't get to sleep."
"That's too bad, now let us get back to our sleeping."
"Justin have a heart you can sleep in here with us."
"But..."
"If it bothers you that much you can sleep with Joey."
"No thanks."
"OK I'll be right back." She got out of the tent and headed towards the bathroom.
"Now listen you two. I getta sleep next to her."
"Why?"
"Cause I'm very close to getting her. She's likes me more than Joey and she came to me when she was in trouble. I finally have my chance."
"You got squat."
"Yeah, you know tomorrow they are just gonna be back and happy."
"Not if I have anything to do with that. I'm making my move tomorrow."
"Really? What are you gonna do?"
"It's her birthday I have really nice gift and I'm gonna give it to when we're watching the sunset over the lake and she'll say oh Justin I love you." Adrianna walked in.
"What did you say? Do you have a girlfriend Justin?"
"No I don't."
"Yes you do, that's so cute."
"No I don't honestly I just..."
"He has a crush on..."
"Daphne, I like Daphne." Justin interrupted.
"Justin that's my teacher that's gross."
"Hello?"
"Ohhh."
"You have a crush on Daphne? Isn't kinda old for you?"
"Yeah she is. How old do you think too old is for me?"
"Well it's kinda hard to say, you're just 14 and if you were like 18, 20 then I think Daphne would be just perfect for you, but you're only 14 you see what I'm saying?" JC and Chris had drifted off to sleep.
"Yeah I see."
"So why don't you just wait."
"If I wait she'll be off and married to Joey."
"Joey?"
"Lance I said Lance."
"You said Joey."
"I uh..."
"Is there something going on between them?"
"Actually yeah."
"Are you sure?"
"Yep, I saw them making out on the couch."
"I can't believe he did this to me and Daphne she seemed so sweet and nice how could she do this to Lance?"
"I don't know."
"Does he know about this?"
"Yes he does."
"And he lets her?"
"They can see other people."
"But his brother?"
"They have a wierd relationship."
"Obviously, I think I'm gonna cry."
"Aw, come here I'll comfort you."
"I never thought he would do this to me. He always seemed so sweet."
"It was all an act, you know what you gotta do right?"
"What?"
"You gotta make him jealous."
"But the only guys out here are you guys."
"Exactly."
"Like hit on Lance."
"It doesn't have to be Lance."
"I'm not hitting on JC."
"I meant like me."
"Oh well, Justin, it's not that you're not a great kid, you're a great kid, it's just you're a kid."
"Oh I see. I'm a kid."
"I didn't mean it like that."
"I know what you meant, I'm really tired why don't we just go to bed.

=|=|=|=

In the morning Adrianna walked out of the tent to find Joey eating breakfast with Chris.
"Morning." Joey greeted.
"Don't morning me."
"What did I do?"
"Don't deny it what's going on with Daphne?"
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Justin told me the whole thing, you gotta thing going on with Daphne behind my back."
"Hold up, back track, what?"
"Exactly what I said."
"Now why would I do that she's dating Lance."
"And you're dating me."
"And I'm dating you, why would go out with her when I have everything I've ever wanted with you."
"Don't you sweet talk me, you've dug yourself a hole and you gotta get out of it."
"Hey everybody." Lance and Daphne walked out to join them.
"Oh shut up!"
"You're in a mood today."
"You would be too, if you found out your boyfriend was seeing someone else."
"Joey that's awful how could you do that to her?"
"Oh you have some nerve, you being the girl and everything."
"What?" Lance and Daphne said at the same time.
"I am not dating Joey, where would get a story like that?"
"A very reliable source."
"She heard it from Justin." Joey said
"He said he saw you making out on the couch."
"I can't believe you would do this to me." Lance said.
"Oh shut up you knew the whole time."
"I did not."
"He couldn't have possibly know anything, cause there was nothing for him to know."
"Well Justin wouldn't just lie to me."
"Of course he would." Chris inputed.
"What?" They turned to him.
"He's been lying to you for a long time, actually all of you. The only people he's told the truth to is me and JC."
"Well what is the truth?"
"I can't say that."
"Well you have to now."
"No I can't."
"Chris," Adrianna knelt down beside. "for me?"
"For you?" He whimpered.
"Yep, please."
"Well if it's for you, then I know something you don't know." He grabbed a banana and ran off.
"Ah that always works."
"Good morning!" Justin walked out and everyone turned to him and glared at him. "OK I'm not liking this."
"Get your butt over here and explain all of this." Lance demanded.
"Why did you tell me all of this?"
"I thought it would be fun to get everyone mad at each other."
"Well it wasn't fun for us."
"How do we know he's telling the truth?"
"I am."
"You know what I think would be fun for all of us to see." Lance said. "You grounded when we get back home for a week."
"But next week is basketball tryouts, if I miss them I don't get on the team."
"Well you should've thought of that before you did all this."
"I guess I should have."
"And we're leaving today as soon as we pack everything up. So let's start packing."

=|=|=|=

Justin walked into his room when they reached their house and went into his closet. He began to rip down all the pictures on his wall.
"Justin we didn't tell." JC and Chris walked into the room.
"Yeah thanks."
"What are you doing?"
"I've come to the realazation that to her I'm just a kid and I have no chance."
"Don't say that, you have a chance, just wait til you're a little older."
"By the time I'm old enough she'll be married to Joey and they'll have oodles of kids and be happy and I won't."
"If she just thinks you're a kid then she's not worth it."
"Really?"
"Yeah, all you really liked about her was her goods." JC said.
"No I liked her personality, she was an older woman, and she liked me."
"Yeah, but she didn't love you. She thought you were a cute little kid."
"We could break em up." The two turned to Chris who they thought left the room.
"What?"
"Break Joey and Adrianna up and then she'll turn to you."
"But I tried that."
"You didn't do it good enough. You don't involve other people except maybe us."
"Yeah so we can back you up in any story you say."
"But she's not gonna believe me no matter what I say."
"Well we'll tell her she'll believe us."
"OK we can do that."
"We'll do it over spring break so Lance can't do anything."
"Yeah let's do it."